A space divider of a milking parlor arrangement for at least one milking parlor for milking milk-producing animals, wherein the space divider is arranged approximately parallel to a longitudinal axis of the animal to be milked, has an arm device having a milking cluster, which can be adjusted from a parking position to a working position and back. The arm device is arranged with the milking cluster in the parking position in the space divider and can be adjusted into the working position laterally to the animal to be milked between the front and rear legs thereof. The space divider may include a replaceable service unit.

A camera registers three-dimensional image data representing a milking location for a milk-producing animal standing with its hind legs facing the camera, where the image data are processed to identify an udder of the animal, and subsequently a tail detection process is applied to the image data to identify a tail of the animal, where upon identification of the tail, the tail is excluded from being regarded as a teat when providing a decision basis for controlling a robotic arm that performs at least one action relating to a milk-producing animal. The tail detection process involves searching for an elongated object extending in a general direction being perpendicular to a floor surface of the rotating platform upon which the animal is standing and at a shorter distance from the camera than any surface element of the identified udder.

A camera registers three-dimensional image data representing a milking location for a milk-producing animal standing with its hind legs facing the camera, where the image data are processed to identify an udder of the animal, and subsequently a tail detection process is applied to the image data to identify a tail of the animal, where upon identification of the tail, the tail is excluded from being regarded as a teat when providing a decision basis for controlling a robotic arm that performs at least one action relating to a milk-producing animal. The tail detection process involves searching for an elongated object extending in a general direction being perpendicular to a floor surface of the rotating platform upon which the animal is standing and at a shorter distance from the camera than any surface element of the identified udder.

A rotating platform having a plurality of stalls is provided, each of the stalls being configured to house a respective animal during milking. The stalls are separated from one another by delimiting structures. A camera registers three-dimensional image data of the rotating platform within a field of view. A controller receives the image data that has been registered while the rotating platform completes at least one full revolution around its rotation axis. The controller processes the image data to derive a set of key features of the rotating platform, and then stores the set of key features in a data storage, which is configured to make the set of key features available for use at a later point in time.

A rotating platform having a plurality of stalls is provided, each of the stalls being configured to house a respective animal during milking. The stalls are separated from one another by delimiting structures. A camera registers three-dimensional image data of the rotating platform within a field of view. A controller receives the image data that has been registered while the rotating platform completes at least one full revolution around its rotation axis. The controller processes the image data to derive a set of key features of the rotating platform, and then stores the set of key features in a data storage, which is configured to make the set of key features available for use at a later point in time.

A system and method for providing a decision basis for controlling a robotic arm to perform at least one action relating to a milk-producing animal, wherein a camera registers three-dimensional image data of a milking location that includes a reference object and a rotating platform upon which an animal stands with its hind legs facing the camera, and a control unit checks if an entry window for a robotic arm can be found in the image data by searching for the reference object in the image data, and if the reference object is found the control unit searches for an acceptable obstacle-free volume in the image data, this volume being located within an allowed space relative to the reference object.

Control unit (240) and cassette (130) of a milk analysis apparatus (120) comprising a first wireless communication device (210), for communication with a memory device (230) of a cassette (130) via a second wireless communication device (220) comprised in the cassette (130). The cassette (130) is insertable into the milk analysis apparatus (120) and comprises a predetermined number of milk analysis units (260a, 260b, 260c) for one-time usage. The control unit (240) is configured to determine a number of consumed milk analysis units (260a, 260b, 260c) during a milk analysis session; and transmit information related to the consumed number of milk analysis units (260a, 260b, 260c) during the milk analysis session, to the memory device (230) of the cassette (130), via the first wireless communication device (210), for storage in the memory device (230) of the cassette (130).

Control unit (240) and cassette (130) of a milk analysis apparatus (120) comprising a first wireless communication device (210), for communication with a memory device (230) of a cassette (130) via a second wireless communication device (220) comprised in the cassette (130). The cassette (130) is insertable into the milk analysis apparatus (120) and comprises a predetermined number of milk analysis units (260a, 260b, 260c) for one-time usage. The control unit (240) is configured to determine a number of consumed milk analysis units (260a, 260b, 260c) during a milk analysis session; and transmit information related to the consumed number of milk analysis units (260a, 260b, 260c) during the milk analysis session, to the memory device (230) of the cassette (130), via the first wireless communication device (210), for storage in the memory device (230) of the cassette (130).

A milking system with a milking device, a milking control, a milk line in fluid connection with the milking device, and a sampling and analysis device to take a sample of the milk from the milk line and to analyse milk from the sample are disclosed. The milking control is arranged to control the milking device on the basis of the analysis. The sampling and analysis device includes a control unit, a tape reel provided with a tape that is lengthwise provided with a series of consecutive reagent pads that provide a detectable response in the presence of a substance in the sample, a tape mover to move the tape, a dosing device to supply a part of the sample onto a reagent pad on the tape, and a camera to obtain an image of the reagent pad supplied with the droplet, and an analysis device to analyse the obtained images to provide to the milking control device an indication of a presence or concentration of said substance. The camera has a field of view that contains a plurality of reagent pads of the series of consecutive reagent pads. This allows to observe the reaction in the reagent pad for a much longer time. In turn, this allows to use much less reagent material, such as expensive enzymes, in the pads. It is particularly useful when observing double layer reagent types.

A safety valve arrangement and method, having an upstream block valve, a downstream block valve, and a pressure monitored galley between the upstream valve and the downstream valve.